Marriott International has signed an agreement with Weligama Hotel Properties Ltd, a fully owned subsidiary of East West Properties PLC, to open a hotel in Sri Lanka in 2014. The hotel, Weligama Bay Marriott Resort and Spa, will be Marriott’s first property in Sri Lanka. Located 144 kilometres from Colombo, Weligama Bay is a popular tourist spot famous for its sandy beaches. The 11-storey, Weligama Bay Marriott Resort and Spa will comprise 200 rooms and a host of leisure-oriented amenities including three restaurants and a 115-metre stretch of beach. The hotel will also cater for business travellers with its 640-square-metre flexible ballroom space and other world-class facilities.

Premier Inn, one of the United Kingdom’s leading hotel brands with over 630 properties and 49,000 rooms across the United Kingdom, the Middle East and India, has announced that it has set up its Asia Pacific hub in Singapore. This is Premier Inn’s third regional hub following Dubai and New Delhi. In the initial phase of its operations, the brand will be evaluating opportunities across the region in terms of best-fit partnerships and priority markets. Established to enter the rapidly growing economy travel segment in the region, the Singapore office will aim to bring Premier Inn’s signature, value-for-money experience to Asia Pacific. The office will be managed by Mr Erik van Keulen, Senior Vice President for Development, Asia Pacific.

The opening of Best Western Premier Dua Sentral marks the Best Western brand’s debut in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur. Located in the city’s new business and transportation hub, KL Sentral, the hotel is less than 30 minutes from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) via the KLIA Express rail service and a short ride from the city's main shopping and entertainment districts. The hotel features 364 rooms, ranging from 34 square metres to 183 square metres, and all include LCD interactive televisions, DVD players, iPod docking stations and free in-room internet. Other facilities at the hotel include three restaurants, a swimming pool, a spa and eight function rooms.

Straits Trading Company has acquired the Rendezvous Grand Hotel Melbourne for S$79.3 million from Challenger Life Nominees No 2 (formerly known as Challenger Property Funds Management). The property, a historic hotel built in 1912, is currently leased and operated by the company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Rendezvous Hotel (Australia) Pty. The company said this latest acquisition will add to its Rendezvous Hospitality Group portfolio. It will also strengthen and expand its footprint in the Asia Pacific region amid growth in travel and tourism. Through its hospitality division, Rendezvous Hospitality Group, Straits Trading currently owns two hotels in Perth, the flagship Rendezvous Grand Hotel Singapore on Bras Basah Road, and leases and manages ten other hotels in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Port Douglas (Cairns), Auckland, Christchurch and Shanghai.

Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour has opened its doors, marking the first Sofitel in Auckland and second in New Zealand after Queenstown. Situated near the city's waterfront, the property was formerly an MGallery Lighter Quay hotel. All rooms and suites have private balconies, floor-to-ceiling windows and feature oversized bathrooms with separate rain showers and deep bathtubs. The hotel’s café and restaurant open onto the waterfront esplanade and three meeting rooms are available including a 195-square-metre function room and business centre, while Wi-Fi is also available throughout the hotel. The day spa offers six treatment rooms with a range of treatments. Other facilities include a sauna and steam room, a gym, a 20-metre indoor lap pool and a spa pool.

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